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I Samuel 12:20-25, “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.  Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

In this chapter, we see Samuel pass the leadership baton to Saul for the final time.  But first, Samuel finds the need to set some things straight.  Samuel stresses that he led both effectively and with integrity.  Israel, on the other hand, sinned again and again.  It was especially a sin to ask for a human king, as God always intended that he would be their king.  Samuel, to emphasize the point of this particular sin, asks God to send thunder and rain to demonstrate both the severity of their sin and the power of God.  The people immediately respond with fear.

In today's focus verses, we see Samuel reassuring the people.  He doesn’t sugarcoat it.  Yes, they have sinned.  Yes, they probably should not have asked for a human king.  But it’s done.  Now, they need to repent and move forward.  Fear God, trust God, and serve God.  Move on.

How many people need to hear that today?  Yes, maybe you have messed up royally in your past.  Maybe you even messed up this week!  It’s time to repent.  You can think of repentance as turning away from sin and back toward God.  It’s not simply being sorry for wrongdoing but intentionally moving back toward a relationship with God.  What do you need to do to move back toward God?

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, I am so sorry for the many ways I have messed up this week.  I’m sorry for putting things before you.  I am sorry for being distracted.  I am sorry for being unkind at times.  Please forgive me.  I want to be in right relationship with you.  I belong to you.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.